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Match Report: Gosport 1 Boro 0

How nice to arrive for a Tuesday night away fixture while it’s still daylight!

Boro’ made just one change from the side which started on Saturday at home to Concord Rangers. Alfie Bosch returning to the starting line up for Adam Doyle who was unavailable.

The talk among fans on the coach and at the ground was as much about the announcement this morning about a renewed sponsorship deal with Paddy Power, as it was about the game. Views were mixed as to truth of the matter, but, the BBC doesn’t usually run something without checking it’s bona fides. Meanwhile, if anyone spots a man with a ladder and some green paint around the ground, let us know.

Farnborough got the game underway at 7.48 and straight away mounted a couple of quick attacks. Lee and Colmer switched wings and Lee combined well with Huggins on the right, before Colmer found French on the opposite flank only for the latter to make a poor cross.

When the home side attacked, Inns and Siaw were prominent, Inns heading away strongly and Siaw, tackling well to stop Wooden. The home side seemed happy to pass the ball back to their keeper from distance, or make long cross field passes which were often over hit.

Matt Ball was fouled on 10 minutes and Harry Lee’s kick was cleared and Gosport mounted a counter attack, but the ball ran out for a goal kick. After a quarter of an hour, French was fouled for the 2nd time in as many minutes and Matt Ball sent a long free kick into the area where JJ Hooper turned the ball in, but was penalised for an infringement. When the home side were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out in a central position, Carmichael’s kick went through to Ross Fitzsimons. Then Ryan Scott tried his luck from 40 yards, but failed to trouble the Boro’ keeper.

The remainder of the half comprised of attacks from both sides which failed to produce very much by way of clear chances and defences on either side were able to cope. The home side seemed content to concede free kicks just inside their own half and rely on defenders to clear any danger.

Just before the half ended, both sides created opportunities, Gosport attacking down the right sent over a decent cross which Wooden attempted to hit on the volley from the edge of the area only to miss the ball completely. Following treatment to Jason Prior, Boro’ made progress on the right and JJ Hooper beat his man and his shot was kept out by Ashmore, at full stretch. Half time 0-0.

A fairly even and competitive half, with Boro’ far sharper than on Saturday and with a little more luck could have been ahead. However, there were occasions when an earlier shot might have been a better option rather than a further pass.

The 2nd period started at 8.50 with Gosport having replaced Prior with Tim Sills. After Alan Inns headed clear, Boro’ attacked down the left and Matt Ball threaded a pass to JJ Hooper whose shot was somewhat fortunately kept out by Ashmore’s feet. Boro’ were repelling the home sides attacks without too much trouble and Fitzsimons was dealing with high crosses in a competent manner.

Then on 65 minutes and against the run of play, Gosport thumped a rather hopeful looking long ball towards the Boro’ area. There didn’t seem to be much threat, but there was hesitation in the defence which left Fitzsimons to rush forward to clear. Unfortunately, he completely missed his kick, leaving Justin Bennett the easiest of tasks to run round the stricken keeper and pop the ball in. 1 – 0.

Ross was quick to hold his hand up, but can’t take all the blame as he could have expected the danger to be cleared before the ball reached him and I doubt if the very uneven surface was much help.

Boro’ renewed their efforts to break down the home side and level matters up, but despite winning a number of corners, the ball always seemed to find a defender and get booted up the pitch.

The 74th minute saw changes for both sides with the home side replacing Wooden with Mike Gosney and Boro’ bringing on Dan Bennett for Connor French. Minutes later, Ross Fitzsimons did well to tip over a strong header from Tim Sills to prevent Gosport doubling their lead. Boro’ completed their substitutions in the 79th minute with Phil Page and Tyrone Berry replacing Harry Lee and Josh Huggins.

With several pairs of fresh legs to chase the game, both sides created opportunities. Matt Ball let fly from 45 yards only to see his shot go just wide, then an effort from JJ Hooper literally hit Ashmore who was able to dive on the loose ball. Gosport used up time where possible and made their final change just in to the added 4 minutes with Justin Bennett being replaced by Jamie Brown. This at least found favour with Brown’s young fan club who had been yelling his name for most of the game. Boro’ kept going to the very end, but with no change to the score. Result 1-0

An improved Boro’ performance after Saturday, but as always, when you need a kind bounce, or two, they seem to go to the other side. In the end the game was decided by a freakish goal and we came away with nothing to show for our efforts. Hopefully, Gosport can do us a favour by softening up Weston when they meet on Thursday.